Bookies’ group defends use of terminals in shops

A spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers in Scotland (ABB Scotland) defended the use of fixed odds betting terminals.

The association backed High Street bookies after new figures showed more than £75million was gambled on betting machines in Motherwell and Wishaw last year.

Punters lost £3.75million during that period.

The spokesman said: “Betting shops are the safest place to gamble on the high street because of the extensive responsible gambling measures they adopt, many of them unique to bookmakers, and because of the 5000 employees in Scotland who are trained to help anyone who may be developing a problem with gambling.

“Gaming machines were introduced into betting shops more than 15 years ago. Over this period, problem gambling has remained static across the UK and actually fell in Scotland in 2015 to 0.7 per cent.

“We are encouraged by these figures but not complacent and will continue to lead industry efforts to reduce problem gambling.

“It is worth noting that FOBTs account for only 13 per cent of gambling spend in the UK.

“Gamblers spend seven times more money on other gambling products, often in venues that lack our tight controls and trained staff.

“Targeting a single product in betting shops will not reduce problem gambling but will cause huge economic harm and force thousands of trained staff out of work, including many in North Lanarkshire.

“Scottish horse racing would also be deprived of millions of pounds of levy income, with implications for racecourses such as Hamilton.”